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IFC, Chadha pact for 'Afterlife'

'Beckham' helmer lines up producing partner

NEW DELHI -- Gurinder Chadha and the Indian Film Co. have inked a co-production pact for the U.K.-based helmer's next project, "It's a Wonderful Afterlife."

TIFC, which is listed on London's Alternative Investment Market, will co-produce the film with Chadha's banner Bend It Films, the parties said Monday.

Described as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" meets "Shaun of the Dead," "Afterlife" begins shooting March 28 in London and will feature a multicultural cast including veteran Indian actress Shabana Azmi, Sendhil Ramamoorthy ("Heroes"), Shaheen Khan (Chadha's "Bend It Like Beckham") and British-Indian theater actress Goldy Notay.

"Afterlife" is by penned by Chadha and her husband, Paul Mayeda Berges, who also co-wrote "Beckham" and Chadha's"Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging."

Scheduled for an early 2010 release, London-based Hanway Films will handle overseas sales for "Afterlife" while TIFC will release it in Indian territories through its affiliate Studio 18, which has had a successful run with recent Bollywood releases including "Welcome" and "Singh Is Kinng."